Modular building methods and systems using lightweight modular panels, and specially configured transition panels for transitioning from wall to floor, or from wall to roof. Identically configured standard panels are used for constructing the walls, floor, and roof, with transitions from one structure to the next (e.g., wall to floor, or wall to roof). Each of the variously configured panel types includes channels (e.g., 2 pair of channels) formed through the length of the foam body, where the channels are configured to receive splines (e.g., flanges of an I-beam) therein. In the standard panel, the channels may include pairs of top and bottom channels, with the channels offset towards the respective panel major faces. In the transition panels, the channels may be similarly configured, but positioned differently to make the appropriate transition. The splines are connected to a frame, which acts as a template and transfers loads to a foundation.

Modules providing structural platforms for floors, ceilings, walls, and a roof of a wood frame building are shown and described. Once installed, modules receive suitable finishing materials providing continuous, flat surfaces, with exceptions for penetrations. Each module may include a wood perimeter, upper joist boards or roof rafters, coupled to the wood perimeter at relatively high positions thereon, and lower joist boards or roof rafters coupled to the bounded wood perimeter at relatively low positions thereon. Within each module, each upper joist board or upper roof rafter has a lowermost edge above a level of an uppermost edge of each said lower joist board or lower roof rafter. A gap between the lowermost edge and every lower joist board or roof rafter accommodates ducts, wiring, and plumbing. Each upper joist board or roof rafter is staggered in plan view relative to the lower joist boards or roof rafters.

A modular perimeter frame system (10) is described for forming a perimeter frame (11) used in the construction of floors, walls and roofs of buildings. The modular perimeter frame system has a first modular sub-frame (16) having one or two blunt end portions (26, 28), and a second modular sub-frame (18) having one or two overhang end portions (36, 38). The blunt and overhang end portions are so dimensioned and shaped as to facilitate a continuous abutting engagement between at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the blunt end portion and at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the overhang end portion.

A modular perimeter frame system is described for forming a perimeter frame used in the construction of floors, walls and roofs of buildings. The modular perimeter frame system has a first modular sub-frame having one or two blunt end portions, and a second modular sub-frame having one or two overhang end portions. The blunt and overhang end portions are so dimensioned and shaped as to facilitate a continuous abutting engagement between at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the blunt end portion and at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the overhang end portion.

A modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions, such as walls, floors, balconies, roofs or the like, includes a plurality of planar modular beams that define a respective plane and that are mutually jointed, and a plurality of planar panels anchored thereto at least at or in proximity of the end portions of the same planar modular beams.

A method of constructing a frame of a wood frame building structure is shown and described. The method entails fabricating modules establishing nominally flat structural platforms for expediting assembly of floors, walls, ceilings, and a roof. These modules provide structural frames enabling appropriate finishing materials to be affixed thereto. The finishing materials provide continuous, flat surfaces, with exceptions for penetrations. The method includes assembling the modules such that a longitudinal axis of each model is parallel to those of other modules throughout the frame and perpendicular to a building length axis. Also, each module includes ceiling joists, floor joists, and roof rafters, as appropriate, such joists and roof rafters installed parallel to the building length axis and therefore, perpendicular to the joists and roof rafters. This method minimizes assembly costs of modules and of the framing, while retaining conventional framing performance.

A method of constructing a building is disclosed, including selecting a standard dimension less than a wide-load trucking permit limit and designing a building on a grid defined by the selected standard dimension. The building includes a plurality of prefabricated elements, wherein each prefabricated element has a width correspond to the selected standard dimension. The plurality of prefabricated elements includes a wall panel, a roof panel, a laterally resistive frame, and a rebar cage. The method includes fabricating each of the plurality of prefabricated elements at a manufacturing plant and transporting the elements by truck to a building site. The method includes constructing intersecting grade beam footings at the building site and pouring a slab between the intersecting grade beam footings. The grade beam footings include the rebar cage and have a uniform width and depth, the grade beam footings and the slab having contiguous upper surfaces.

A modular perimeter frame system is described for forming a perimeter frame used in the construction of floors, walls and roofs of buildings. The modular perimeter frame system has a first modular sub-frame having one or two blunt end portions, and a second modular sub-frame having one or two overhang end portions. The blunt and overhang end portions are so dimensioned and shaped as to facilitate a continuous abutting engagement between at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the blunt end portion and at least two surfaces which meet at a corner of the overhang end portion.

A modular building structure that utilizes a standard, unmodified intermodal shipping container both for transport of the structural components and as an integral element of the method of construction. A modular structure kit is enclosed in the shipping container, which can be transported using all means that are standard for ISO containers. Using the preferred method of construction, the shipping container can be situated without heavy equipment. Once situated, the shipping container provides the primary support for a permanent elevated structure composed of unique components, assembled using conventional building techniques without the necessary use of heavy or specialized equipment.

A modular system for the dry building of structures for constructions, such as walls, floors, balconies, roofs or the like, includes a plurality of planar modular beams that define a respective plane and that are mutually jointed, and a plurality of planar panels anchored thereto at least at or in proximity of the end portions of the same planar modular beams.